Category: Bushcraft & Skills

Strong wind tests shelter placement as much as knot-tying. A low, well-anchored tarp often handles gusts better than a tall, exposed pitch.

A-frame

Provides familiar coverage and two-sided protection, but a high ridgeline can catch wind. Lower the pitch, orient it thoughtfully and use appropriate anchors.

Plow-point

A low wedge-style pitch can shed wind from one direction. Stake its windward edges securely and keep the opening sheltered from the prevailing gusts.

Before you pitch

• Choose ground away from dead branches, flood channels and exposed ridgelines.
• Use stakes and guyline tension suitable for the soil and fabric.
• Follow the tarp manufacturer’s guidance; do not overtighten seams or grommets.
• In dangerous winds or lightning, seek a safer location or solid shelter instead of relying on a tarp.

There is no universal wind-speed guarantee for any pitch. Practice your setup in fair weather first.

A simple stick-and-shadow technique can help estimate east and west on a sunny day. It is a backup skill, not a substitute for a map, compass and reliable route planning.

Shadow-tip method

1. Place a straight stick vertically in level ground where its shadow is clear.
2. Mark the tip of the shadow with a small stone.
3. Wait 15–30 minutes and mark the new tip.
4. The line from the first mark toward the second generally indicates west to east in the Northern Hemisphere under typical conditions.
5. Use the approximate east–west line to estimate north and south, checking against known terrain features.

This is approximate: season, latitude, time of day and uneven ground can introduce substantial errors. Do not count on accuracy within five degrees. Moss growth is not a dependable compass. If truly lost, stop, assess your position and use emergency communication rather than wandering on a rough bearing.

Instead of casting randomly across a river, look for places where fish can conserve energy while food drifts within reach.

Three promising areas

1. Current seams: Where faster water meets slower water, fish may hold along the slower edge and feed in the drift.
2. Undercut banks: Shaded overhangs, roots and deeper outside bends can offer cover for trout and smallmouth bass.
3. Pockets behind boulders: Rocks break the current and create calmer feeding lanes. Cast along the transition without snagging sensitive habitat.

Water temperature, season, species and food availability all matter. No fixed percentage of fish occupies a fixed percentage of water. Watch footing and currents; never wade water that is too deep or fast for safe passage.

Clear mountain water can still carry disease-causing organisms. Choose a treatment method based on the water source, local risks and the manufacturer’s verified performance.

Squeeze filters

Lightweight and convenient. Many remove protozoa and bacteria but not viruses. A wet hollow-fiber filter that freezes may be damaged even if it looks intact; follow manufacturer replacement guidance.

Pump filters

Useful for drawing from shallow sources and for some silty water. They add weight and require maintenance. Not every pump filter removes viruses.

Boiling

Bring clear water to a rolling boil for one minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet, following CDC guidance. Boiling inactivates pathogens but does not remove chemical contaminants or sediment.

For cloudy water, let sediment settle or prefilter before treatment. Chemical disinfectants also vary in effectiveness, especially against Cryptosporidium. Carry a backup appropriate to your route.

You don’t need dozens of knots for routine camping, but a few well-practiced ones make shelter setup and gear organization easier.

Four to practice

1. Bowline: Forms a fixed loop for many non-life-safety tasks. It can loosen in some conditions; add a suitable backup when needed.
2. Taut-line hitch: Adjustable friction hitch for tensioning tent guylines. Holding power varies by cord material.
3. Trucker’s hitch: Useful for tensioning lines, but not a substitute for rated straps and tie-down hardware when securing cargo for road travel.
4. Square knot: Handy for binding a bundle. Do not use it to join two ropes under load, for climbing or for rescue.

Practice in daylight, then with gloves. Use rated equipment and task-specific knots for climbing, rescue and other safety-critical work.